Lifestyle Company Buys Vivendi Entertainment

Gaiam Inc. said that it has closed its $13.4 million acquisition of Universal Music Distribution Corp.’s Vivendi Entertainment.

The Boulder, Colo. producer and distributor of yoga and fitness DVDs said the deal creates the largest independent media distributor of non-theatrical content in the United States. In addition to its own products, Gaiam has exclusive licensing agreements with Discovery Communications and other partners that produce content for distribution outside movie theaters.

Universal City-based Vivendi Entertainment distributes DVDs and digital releases for independent companies, including NFL Productions, National Geographic and Weinstein Co. It sold about 12 million units last year, generating gross billing to retailers of more than $200 million

“The acquisition of Vivendi Entertainment’s distribution contracts and key content relationships is an important step in our efforts to efficiently leverage Gaiam’s extensive retailer, direct to consumer and digital distribution channels,” said Gaiam President Bill Sondheim in a statement.

In addition to producing DVDs, Gaiam sells eco-conscious healthy and beauty, bed and bath, and home and outdoor products.